Our hands tied in ICT Bill, says House team
Customers access the internet from a cyber cafe in Nairobi. The ICT Practitioners Bill 2016 is pushing for an Act of Parliament to provide for the training, registration, licensing, practice and standards of ICT practitioners and for connected purposes. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The National Assembly Energy, Information and Communication committee on Thursday declined a request by Information Principal Secretary Victor Kyalo to withdraw the ICT Practitioners Bill 2016.
The fate of tech professionals hangs in a balance after a key Parliamentary committee admitted that withdrawing the ‘oppressive’ Bill tabled by Majority leader Aden Duale was beyond it.
The National Assembly Energy, Information and Communication committee on Thursday declined a request by Information Principal Secretary Victor Kyalo to withdraw the ICT Practitioners Bill 2016.
The Bill proposes that for one to be eligible for registration, one should be a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree and have a minimum of three years relevant experience, something that has sparked outcry among the tech professionals.
“Withdrawing the Bill is beyond this committee as it is now a property of the House. The much we can do is recommend amendments on the contentious clauses,” said Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, who chairs the House committee.
Mr Kyalo said the Bill does not reflect the policy position of the Ministry and should be withdrawn immediately as it stifles innovation and economic growth.
The ICT Practitioners Bill 2016 is pushing for an Act of Parliament to provide for the training, registration, licensing, practice and standards of ICT practitioners and for connected purposes.
